Clock ticking on 'expedited' medical-marijuana bill's impact

As 2016 nears, inaction on an emergency medical-marijuana bill the State Legislature approved in June is close to rendering the measure irrelevant.

The bill calls for “expedited access to medical marijuana in certain cases where a patient’s condition is progressive and degenerative.” Supporters said it was necessary because some patients couldn’t wait until January — when the five state-sanctioned medical-marijuana facilities are supposed to be up and running.

Four months later, the bill still hasn’t been sent to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for signature or veto. Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island), a medical-marijuana champion, opposed the “emergency access” bill saying, in part, it was favored by some who wanted to legalize recreational cannabis.